Whatever be the future of electrification as applied to the railways of New Zealand, there can be no doubt in anyone's mind at the present day regarding the advisability and advantages of the electrified section of line just brought into operation between Christchurch and Lyttelton. Here electricity replaces steam through what was, for half a century, the longest, and at all times the grimiest of tunnels in this country.

The second instalment of anything rarely creates the same intensity of interest as the first, and so Lyttelton could not be expected to vie with Otira on the dramatic stage of Dominion railway history; but the fact (as pointed out by the Prime Minister) that Lyttelton was the first of our New Zealand lines on which electricity supplemented steam gave the function on the Port section of Canterbury's railways that touch of colour and romance that made the appeal of the occasion irresistible.

A notable feature was the way in which representative New Zealanders from all parts of the country rallied together in the City of the Plains to do honour to the event. Steamers and trains were crowded with visitors intent on being present at the opening ceremony. Particularly pleasing were the courtesies extended and honours done to the early settlers, whose valuable pioneering enterprise—upon which all subsequent development has been built—was, by special invitation and in other respects, amply acknowledged.

The glorious weather experienced during the day was an important factor in producing that holiday feeling which marked the proceedings throughout. But mingled with this feeling was a serious undercurrent that gave evidence of how fully the historic significance of the occasion was appreciated by all.

The speed of the opening run, halving as it did the usual time taken by steam traction, delighted the nine hundred people who travelled by the first Electric Express ever driven upon a New Zealand suburban railway, and the freedom from smoke in the 1 1/2 mile tunnel, proved a pleasant change for those accustomed to steam travel over this route.

Although Lyttelton has not, in the past, been a favourite residential area for Christ-church people, there seems little doubt that when the advantages in speed and cleanliness conferred by the electrification are more fully known, a drift to the well-protected bays and hillsides of the Lyttelton inlet will take place, and will considerably augment railway passenger traffic on the line. Should this take place, returns from the capital expenditure upon the electric installation may well exceed the engineering estimates, for in this page 6 locality the whole benefit from the increased travelling induced will be reaped by the railway, the conditions being quite unsuitable for motor competition.

Once the full advantages of electrification for both goods and passenger traffic are felt it seems likely that the agitation, which has been proceeding for some time, in favour of a road vehicular tunnel will lose ground, the new and modern transport facilities provided by the Railway being ample for the most exacting requirements of port and city, as well as for that large volume of through inter - Island traffic that flows along this vital artery of trade and commerce.

The unpleasant impression created upon travellers from other parts by the long smoky tunnel at the entrance to this Island, being now removed, general railway traffic in the South Island should react favourably to the change.

All ranks in the Department have reason to be pleased that the drawbacks of Canterbury's troublesome tunnel have been banished, and to know that at the opening function the Department's arrangements, hospitality, and service, gained universally favourable comment.